I have a question on urban farming. I would like to know what
the city’s code says about chickens, bees and goats in city yards.
If as I expect, the rules are very restrictive, I wonder if there
is a move of foot to change them and expand our rights to raise
livestock in town.
“I have a question on urban farming. I would like to know what the city’s code says about chickens, bees and goats in city yards. If as I expect, the rules are very restrictive, I wonder if there is a move of foot to change them and expand our rights to raise livestock in town.”
but …
“A rooster in area of Church and Luchessa streets crows before the break of dawn and throughout the day. It is unlawful to keep or maintain chickens within the city except in an agricultural zone. Is this area zoned as agricultural?”
Red Phone: Dear More and Less, The Gilroy Municipal Code (4.20) prohibits livestock except in the few agricultural zones that remain on the fringes of the city’s border.
However, while there is an agricultural area to the west of Luchessa and plenty of unincorporated land, the area where the second caller mentioned is mostly residential. If you know the address, you can report it to the city’s code enforcement office at 846-0264. You can see the Gilroy zoning map at cityofgilroy.org under the planning tab.
We haven’t heard of any efforts to change the regulations. While the first caller can certainly present his or her view during the public comment portion at City Council meetings or try to drum up community support, it is unlikely the rules will be changed.
“More than likely Council would direct planning staff to study possible changes to the municipal code and zoning ordinance and then make recommendations to the Planning Commission since it is a land use issue,” said Scott Barron, code enforcement officer. “Once the Planning Commission approved the changes, they would have to be brought to the Council for their approval.”
So, as you can see, the process could take awhile. And you will probably face stiff opposition from people like the second caller who like their peace and quiet.
Many other cities have the same regulations for animals within the city limits. It is common in cities such as San Juan Bautista to see chickens running across the streets, but even there, they have a regulation against loud animals that are a nuisance.
